I look in the mirror at myself, brushing a smudge dirt off my cheek, and batting my eyes at my reflection. Behind me, Kane stands and watches. I look at his reflection in the mirror, and he smiles at me. My lips begin to curl into a smile as well, but I'm interrupted by the sound of pounding on the door. I sigh, moving away from the dressing table and slipping my feet into a pair of flats. Kane reaches his hand out to me and takes it as he opens the door.
On the other side, the same guard stands. He gives us each a look and nods before turning and walking away. Kane keeps his hand on the small of my back as we follow, heading toward one of the smaller banquet rooms in the palace. I keep myself on edge, though, knowing there's a possibility that by the time the night is over, someone could be dead. My dagger is still strapped to my thigh, and I don't ever take it off anymore. I realize it's dangerous to carry it with me, but I believe it's even more dangerous to leave it somewhere and hope that Drogaem or his guards don't find it.
The guard steps to the side and stands at attention as Kane and I move through the doorway and into the room. In the center is a long large stone table with high back chairs lining each side. At the head of the table, Drogaem sits, sipping a glass of wine. "Come in. Take a seat."
Drogaem claps his hands, and within seconds, two servants I've never seen before come out, setting dishes in front of both Kane and I. I look down at the food. It looks delicious, but I'm not stupid enough to eat something like that. Drogaem is more than aware that I'm human, and the least bit of poison could easily kill me. Instead, I pull my napkin into my lap and pick up my fork, pushing it around on the plate. I figure if I at least give the impression that I'm eating, maybe Drogaem won't notice.
The air is thick with tension as we sit in silence. My eyes shift up to Kane and back over to Drogaem, over and over again. Each time he moves, I stiffen, wondering if this is the moment he'll attack. In fact, by inviting us both, it gives the impression that he plans on doing something terrible to Kane.
"Don't seem so nervous," Drogaem chuckles. "Eat your food."
He's looking straight at me. I shake my head. "I'm not hungry."
Drogaem rolls his eyes and reaches over, grabbing a piece of food from my plate and popping it into his mouth. He chews it up and swallows, putting his arms out. "See? I'm not trying to poison you… Yet. In fact, there are many things that I want you to see before you die."
I shift in my chair nervously, and I can see that Kane is at the ready for anything. Drogaem looks over his shoulder and smiles as one of his Huntsmen comes in the door. "Ahhh, there you are. I was hoping you would get here soon."
The Huntsman stops and bows to Drogaem before handing him a map. I watch curiously as Drogaem unfolds the map and lays it out in front of him, shoving his food out of the way. As my eyes scan over the mass of land and water, a sudden realization hits me. My heart stutters, and it takes everything inside me, not to gasp loudly. It's a map of the mortal realm.
Drogaem picks up a piece of black charcoal next to him and begins to place large x's all along the edges of the map. When he finishes, he brushes off his hands. "I have built several portals across the realm that will transport my troops across the veil. We will begin here, walk-through, and present ourselves in the human realm. Now, where did I say that we are going to start… Oh, yes! Right here."
Drogaem slams his finger down on a point on the map. I think I knew before I even looked at it where he was going to point. Biting the inside of my cheek, I lean forward. "That's… That's…"
Drogaem chuckles, nodding his head. "Spit it out, human. That's where your family is. That's your dear old daddy's home. Yes, I'm going to start with your father and your sisters. And if you haven't forgotten, I made you a promise."
My eyes move back and forth over the tabletop, my mind trying to figure out what he's talking about. He has made many threats. He has caught…
I remember.
I remember, and now I regret losing my temper. Being so bold. "The gardens."
Drogaem claps his hands and points at me. "Very good. In the gardens, I promised you that I would destroy your father, take your sisters as prisoners, most likely just hand them over to my men for an evening full of fun, and pay you back for your loudmouth and plans to kill me. Some would say that I'm going easy on you. If you want to truly think about it, in your world, going against the King is considered treason. What do they do to people who commit treason, Briar?"
I can feel my face going pale, and I'm trying to focus, but I can't. Kane reaches for me, but Drogaem tilts his head shaking his finger back and forth. "Briar, what do they do to traitors in the human realm?"
My lip quivers as I go to answer. "They cut off their heads. In front of everyone."
Drogaem picks up his napkin and wipes his face, lifting his eyebrows. He puts out both hands. "See? You can
